28 Innovations at Saveetha Dental College, Chennai, India.

Innovations

in our Dental Curriculum

That make our graduates a cut above the rest !

Our aim is to provide the best training in academics, clinics and research. Although our ambition can be covered in a single sentence, our goals are far more difficult to accomplish in reality. It is a tremendous challenge to perfect even one of the 3 mentioned domains. However, we have perfected our curriculum to master all 3 domains. This was possible only after many years of trial and refinement. Today we are approaching maximum efficiency with the help of innovative tools in pedagogy that are just being explored all over the globe. For example iPads for dental hospital records are just being explored in foreign institutions but at Saveetha its has been running in full force for over 3 years. We feel great pride in making our country and our dental community stand tall in the lobal arena. This page has enlisted few such tools that have created the maximum impact in our teaching learning process.

1. SMALL GROUP LEARNING

Learning in the classroom is said to be an effective forum where there is effective sharing of facts and experiences. This becomes more potent when learning occurs via small groups. The teaching methodology in our institution exactly focus on small group learning.

In this, opportunity for the students to express, exchange and communicate their views with others are provided with an ample space for individuality and innovation. Learning via small group activities coupled with micro lectures uncovers the full potential of the teacher-student relationship.

2. Histopathology Tracing with iPads

The undergraduates are exposed to real time experience of an histopathology slide and not mere a fixed field. Also the students capture a relevant diagnostic field from the H and E Slide and trace the appropriate field. In this manner, each student gets exposed to a different field and trace the picture using the Brushes app in iPad. This helps the student to better understand the morphology of the tissue reinforcing the histopathological features of a particular pathology.

3. IPAD HOSPITAL INFORMATION SYSTEM

In the age of green technology, we have adopted an iPad-based Hospital Information System. It goes hand-in-hand with our aim to provide quick, seamless and comprehensive treatment to our patients while educating and training our students in toto.

This system allows information to be accessed easily by both students and faculty at any given time on campus. It also aids in recording procedures completed by students for patients which is simultaneously graded by the staff incharge. A sense of responsibility and accountability is instilled in all.

4. MULTIPLE INTERACTIVE LEARNING ALGORITHM (MILA)

We follow MILA system of teaching which is an activity based learning system comprising of 2 hour lectures which are divided into 6 segments. This system uses an approach of Twenty minutes of teaching time followed by a Twenty minute activity time to better understand and learn the concept, it also keeps the brain active throughout the session.

Activities such as jigsaw, POGIL(Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning), mind mapping, game based learning, critical pedagogy, peer-led team based learning,role play and scale up not only keep the students interested in the topic but also help them break down and easily understand challenging topics and reproduce the concepts easily

This system also helps the teachers to evaluate and assess the understanding of individual students regarding a particular topic.

5. FLIPPED CLASSES WITH IBOOKS

A pre recorded video of the content of the class is given in advance to the students. The students view the video before the class. The class begins with an interactive discussion. This minimises the duration of content delivery during the class hours and promotes high order learning of concepts and their applications.

The same videos also help in revision before the examination.

6. SHARED WHITEBOARD DIGITAL CLASSROOMS

The classrooms are equipped with smart boards which is extended into each individual student's ipad. The lectures prepared by the staff are uploaded on the UNIO Harness Touch on Cloud system and the students have access to the notes and presentations of the lecture. These lectures can be visited at anytime for reference purposes in 3 layers namely original lecture layer, layer with students notes and layer with staff notes. This graphic system of teaching helps to better retain concepts and refresh on already taught topics. Students who have missed out on lectures also have the opportunity to catch up on the notes and presentation of the class.

7. MODULE BASED TEACHING

SDC implements a Module based Teaching, where the yearly syllabus is divided into smaller portions for easier learning and understanding.

First year BDS had 5 modules comprising of 5 weeks of Theory & Practical classes followed by one week each of Revision week, Test week, and Research & Lab week.

Second year BDS had 3 modules comprising of 7 weeks of Theory & Practical classes followed by one week each of Revision week, Test week, and Research & Lab week.

Each module has a concise set of material to be covered in classes and tested at the end of the module. This method helps students focus on a smaller portion for better retention and understanding. Finally, an examination of the yearly syllabus will be conducted.

8. PG CLINICAL ORIENTATION MODULE (PG-COM)

The first year postgraduates undergo extensive Clinical orientation Module wherein they are trained in every aspect of the concerned speciality. The module includes interactive lectures, activities, Pre-clinical hands on, Clinical demonstration and guided training in patients.

This facilitates a standardised training and identification of theirs strengths and weaknesses to provide customised training.

9. COMPREHENSIVE DENTAL CLINIC

Each student is exposed to every dental speciality in the comprehensive clinics. Highly experienced clinical staff guide the student to make informed decisions on diagnosis and treatment planning. Students learn to manage a patient in every aspect as it would be in a private practice.

Patient history is taken on a paperless iPad Hospital Information System. Students are provided with their own dental chair and they manage their own instruments and materials through MASA.

On the completion of the course, students will graduate with the confidence to manage a practice and treat patients comprehensively.

10. INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL DISCUSSION

All journal discussions are done under Schoology where the articles are posted in advance followed by an online discussion before the class room discussion. This online discussion makes them aware of the topic prior to the discussion thereby promoting critical learning and better in class interaction

11. Castle Top Learning

We follow castle top learning, where the learning does not end with the class room teaching. Every in class lecture is followed by an out class activity which involves logical reasoning and application and clinical relevance of the topic. These assignments are assessed and graded.

12. FPD for UGs

Under graduates in SDC, received training in treatment of Crowns and Bridges right from 2nd year.

Each student are required to do 6 FPD during the length of their course, this allows the student to be exposed to various scenario of cases as well as building up their confidence in managing cases in the future.

Each student are required to plan, and design the FPD for their patient. From the preparation of abutments, right up to a detailed impression using light body impression technique with retraction cord. They do get trained in milling the FPD using CAD-CAM. And finally, the cementation of the prosthesis.

Each step will be guided by an experienced prosthodontist, in a chair side manner. To ensure, the quality of treatment, and to educate and refine the method of the students.

13. Fixed Orthodontic for UG's

At SDC, UGs are allowed to handle mild cases of malocclusion. Not all cases requires a Post Graduate to be managed.

Each student will design and formulate the required orthodontic treatment for a minimum of 6 patients, during the time of their course. From bonding of brackets, to the placement of orthodontic wires.

All treatments are guided by experienced staff, who specialises in the field of orthodontics. This ensures that, there is no compromise of quality of treatment from the student, and that the students are being benefited in learning from an experienced guide.

14. Stem Cell Training for UG's

Stem Cell Research is one of the booming areas of research. It helps heal most hereditary, congenital and autoimmune diseases which goes in vain otherwise. Though the field is rudimentary our students are trained in it to handle their future research with ease. They are exposed and trained in well equipped laboratory with eminent well trained faculty. This is a boon to the students as in many other places they still know stem cell research only by name.

15. Advanced Prosthetic Training for UG's

All our undergraduates train on Bioart® articulator. They do face bow transfer and stabilisation splints in their undergraduate course. Semi Adjustable articulators are excellent instruments to learn d practice complete dentures. Our Students are trained in par with global standards in this aspect.

A good understanding in occlusion and chewing movements is fundamental to understanding the art and science of dentistry. No Other college in India trains their students with semi adjustable articulators. This is another feature to our cap !

16. Formative Assessment for UG's

We give more credits to formative evaluation. 300 marks is allocated to formative assessment along with the 200 marks for summative assessment per subject. The formative assessment includes all curricular, co- curricular and extra curricular activities.

100 marks- Theory Formative Assessment

100 marks - practical formative Assessment

50 Marks- Research/ co-curricular and extra curricular activities.

50 Marks- Terminal Exam marks.

17. Molecular Biology Training for UG's

Molecular Biology is something which we get to learn at a doctorate level or in any advanced research level whereas our undergraduates undergo training on various aspects of molecular biology.

18. Implant Training for Undergraduates

Undergraduate in SDC are given the experience of learning and placement of implants in life patient.

SDC is currently using Nobel BIoCare implant, a reputable implant company that is widely used in the dental world. This allows the students to have a universal understanding of the implant system.

Students are being taught the theory of implantology, students are also require to design and plan their implant

19. ADDITIONAL SUBJECTS

Apart from the regular curriculum, there are nine additional subjects which enrich the students to understand and learn their regular subjects easily. They are fundamentals of dentistry, behavioural science, forensic odontology, dental armamentarium, medical emergencies in dental practice, dental imageology, practice management, aesthetic dentistry, and implanvology.

20. BPS Training for PG's

Our Prosthodontics Post graduate curriculum is unique in providing BPS training. This proprietary technique popularised by Ivoclar® Switzerland promises superior retention and aesthetics for complete dentures. Furthermore, Our Postgraduates complete 15 such cases and present them in Switzerland. After an exam they are certified. This has opened tremendous opportunities in private practice. Currently only 10 BPS certified specialists area available in South India of which 8 are our alumni.

21. Formative assessment for PG's

PG formative evaluation marks are for a sum of 800 Marks along with a summative of 1200 marks.

During the three year course, every year the students are evaluated for 200 marks which includes their seminars, journal discussions, pre-clinical work, clinical work, test marks and terminal marks and 200 marks is awarded for Research which includes publications, scientific presentations, awards and grants.

22. OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination)

Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is a transparent consistent method of evaluation that is popular in many educational focussed centres. At Saveetha we follow the OSCE system of examination for Prosthodontics post graduate and oral medicine under graduate exams.

23. OSPE

The students are evaluated based on Objective structured practical evaluation. The examination pattern evaluation by 8 stations namely

Clinical diagnosis

Developmental Anomaly

Histopathology

Exfoliative Cytology

Molecular Biology

Polarised Microscopy

TNM Staging.

Illustrative Pathology.

The students identify the developmental anomaly, diagnose a clinical case with differential diagnosis, Identify a running histopathology slide, prepare stain and interpret a smear, Stage a tumour from a clinical scenario, identify gel bands in molecular biology and illustrate the pathogenesis of a particular disease.

24. CBD and PBL

Case Based Discussion (CBD)

Case based discussion has become an integral part of exams in Prosthodontics PG, UG, Oral medicine UG at Saveetha Dental College

Problem Based Learning (PBL)

As a part of our MILA teaching system, problem based learning is used extensively to teach complex concepts with integrated multi disciplinary teaching sessions. Our applied basic science curriculum is designed in a lesion based module format.

25. Special Care Dentistry

Special Care Dentistry, its one of its kind in our country. Many a times people with medical complications find it difficult to fix a dental appointment as their other ailments interferes with their dental treatment. This speciality helps the specially abled and the medically compromised to have a comfortable environment to get their treatment done.

26. MASA (Material Audit and Self Assessment)

Material Audit and Self Assessment, this horns the students management skills. They learn to be better clinical administrators. It is like they own a dental clinic in the campus. This enlighten them on the dental chair mechanism and material sciences.

27. CABLE (Critical Appraisal based Learning )

Critical Appraisal Based Learning helps them being a critic. This is to know what is right through the wrong.

28. GRB

Graduate Record Book is the fruit of all the above mentioned efforts. As the students walks out with their GRB they are not just dentist but researcher, administrator, clinician and academician. They hold the flying colours for themselves.